Combined fish-trap and pail.



' O. I. SEARLES. COMBINED FISH TRAP AND PAIL.

APPLICATION FILED APR-1 8. 1911.

Patented July 4, 1911.

MJIIA GREEN I. SEARLES, 0F J'OPLIN, MISSOURI.

COMBINED FISH-TRAP AND PAIL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July a, rear.

Application filed April 18, 1911. Serial No. 621,865.

To aZZ'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORREN I. SEARLES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Joplin, in the county of Jasper and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Fish- Traps and Pails, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in the art of fishing and trapping and more particularly to a combined fish trap and pail, and my object is to provide a device of this character, which when placed in water, will allow said water to circulate therethrough.

A further object of the invention resides in roviding a receptacle, the open end of wh1ch has the edge thereof provided with notches, and astill further object resides in providing the receptacle with an annular band at the open end, which band comprises spaced apart sections, the spaces between said sections being in registration with the notches in the edge of said receptacle.

A still further object resides in providing a cap for the receptacle, which cap has a portion thereof designed funnel-shape to extend within said receptacle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide the outer face of the sections of the rim or band with threads and the inner wall of the cap with corresponding threads to be engaged with said other threads.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, Figure 1 is a vertical section through the device complete, as seen on line aa, Fig. 2, and, Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same partly in section.

In carrying out my invention, I shall refer to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which 1 indicates a receptacle of substantially cylindrical shape or of any desired shape and formed of any desired material, but preferably glass, one end of the same being open, and the outer wall of said receptacle immediately adjacent the open end thereof, is provided with a plurality of integral lugs 2. These lugs are spaced apart at regular intervals and, if continued around the receptacle, would form a substantial rim or band therearound. These lugs are all substantially the same size and have the outer faces thereof threaded, as shown at 3, while the edge of the receptacle between the lugs 2, is provided with the notches 4, the purpose of which will be hereinafter and more particularly described.

The receptacle 1 is provided with a cap member or partial closure 5 of substantial funnel shape, and the flared end thereof is depended downwardly to form an annular flange 6. The inner wall of the depending annular flange 6 is threaded to engage the threads on the outer faces of the lugs 2, whereby the cap member may be positioned on the receptacle, and when so positioned, it will be seen that pockets 7 are formed between the lugs, bounded by the outer wall of the receptacle and the inner wall of the depending flange 6 of the cap member. These pockets or passage-ways 7 being disposed between the ends of the lugs 52, are in alinement with the notches 4 in the upper edge of the receptacle, so that when the receptacle with the cap thereon is placed in the water, a certain amount of water may pass forwardly through the pockets, through the notches 4t and into said receptacle. When properly positioned on the receptacle, the cap 5 has the funnel portion thereof disposed within said receptacle so that the flow of water passes through the passage-ways 7 and 4, as described, into the receptacle and after forming cross currents therein passes outwardly through the lower open end 8 of said funnel member upon reaching that point. Thus, a perfect circulation of water will occur upon the insertion of the receptacle into water where there is but a slight current.

As stated above, this receptacle may be made of any desired material, and in any case, said receptacle has encircling the same adjacent opposite ends thereof, a pair of metallic bands 9, said bands being provided with the extensions 11 which form supporting legs for the receptacle as the same is placed on the surface under water. One of said bands, the one adjacent the open end of the receptacle, has also formed thereon at diametrically opposite points, the ears 9 with which is engaged the handle member 10, whereby the device may be raised from the water and readily carried from place to place.

In practice, the receptacle is first baited, preferably, with crackers and the same then placed in a stream or the like so that the supporting legs will rest upon the bottom to temporarily retain the device in a stationary position. In placing the device in the stream, the open end thereof is positioned to face down stream and thus, the flow of water enters through the pockets 7, through the notches 4 and into the receptacle, forming cross currents therein, which currents wash the strength from the crackers or other bait provided, and carry the same through the outlet of the funnel member to the stream below. The strength of the bait flowing with the stream will attract the minnows which will follow up the same againstthe current to the receptacle or trap, into which they will enter through the funnel member to be trapped, as they will attempt to still swim against the currents in the receptacle to make their exit through the notches 4, which will be impossible. Thus, it will be seen that through this medium, a perfect trap will be formed.

From the foregoing, it will also be seen that I have provided an improved trap for minnows and the like, which device may also be used as a pail for carrying the fish or for carrying any other liquids desired.

Furthermore, it will be seen that the device is adapted to have the water enter the receptacle through the water ways by an indirect current and has its exit through the smaller end of the funnel member, thereby producing a continuous circulation of water through the trap.

It will still further be seen that the notches formed in the upper edge of the receptacle allow the water to enter said receptacle, even though the cap-member is securely engaged with the open end of said receptacle, and it will also be seen that the flow of Water through said notch, may be regulated by the positioning of said cap member on the re ceptacle to increase or decrease the space between the notch and said cap member.

It will still further be seen that the device is of such simple construction as to be readily and cheaply manufactured and is exceedingly effective in operation.

It will be seen that in view of the positioning of the device so that the open end thereof is facing down stream, the current will be allowed to enter the receptacle, through the various water ways and cause cross currents therein.

lVhat I claim is 1. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle having one end thereof open, the edge of the open end of said receptacle being provided with notches, and a cap member for the receptacle being of open, the peripheral edge of the open end of said receptacle having a plurality of notches therein, a cap member for saidppen end, and means to removably engage the cap member with said receptacle, said cap member having a funnel-shaped portion thereon extending within the receptacle.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a cylindrical receptacle having one end thereof open, a plurality of lugs spaced at regular intervals on the outer wall of the receptacle immediately adjacent the open end thereof, the peripheral edge of said open end between the lugs having notches formed therein, a cap member for the receptacle and means to removably engage the same therewith.

4. A combined fish trap and pail, comprising areceptacle having one end thereof open, said open end having the peripheral edge thereof provided with a plurality of spaced apart notches, lugs formed on the outer wall of the receptacle between said notches, the outer faces of said lugs being threaded, and a cap member for the receptacle having a wall thereon internally threaded to engage the threads of said lugs and securely retain the cap to the receptacle.

5. In a combined fish trap and pail, a cylindrical receptacle having one end thereof open, the peripheral edge of the open end thereof being provided with a plurality of spaced apart notches, a plurallty of lugs formed on the outer wall of said receptacle between said lugs and immediately adjacent the open end thereof, said lugs being disposed .in peripheral alinement and having the outer faces thereof threaded, a cap Inember for the receptacle having one wall thereof internally threaded to engage the threads on said lugs, whereby said cap may be removably retained on said receptacle.

6. A combined fish trap and pail, comprising a cylindrical receptacle having one end thereof open, the peripheral edge of said open end having a plurality of spaced apart notches therein a plurality of lugs formed on the outer wall of said receptacle spaced between said notches and immediately adjacent the open end of said receptacle, said lugs being positioned in peripheral alinement and having the outer faces thereof threaded, and a funnel-shaped cap member for the receptacle having a depending peripheral flange thereon, said flange having the inner wall thereof threaded to engage the threads of said lugs, whereby the cap member will be removably retained on said receptacle.

7. A combined fish trap and pail, comprising a cylindrical receptacle having one end thereof open, the peripheral edge of said open end having a plurality of spaced apart notches therein, a plurality of lugs formed on the outer wall of said receptacle spaced between said notches and immediately adjacent the open end of said receptacle, said lugs being positioned in peripheral alinement and having the outer faces thereof threaded, a funnel-shaped cap member for the receptacle having a depending peripheral flange thereon, the inner wall of which is threaded to engage the threads on said lugs, ears formed on said receptacle at diametrically opposite points thereon, and a handle member engaged with said ears.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ORREN I. SEARLES.

Witnesses:

O. L. KING, P. KING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

